Expansion on the menu for Lewiston restaurants

Pictured is a drawing of The Brickyard Pub & B.B.Q.'s proposed addition at 432 Center St. (Image courtesy of Fittante Architecture P.C.)

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Brickyard and Brio look to add second-floor patios;
new wine bar in the mix

by Joshua Maloni

The owners of two popular Lewiston
eateries are thinking growth, while two new investors are planning to open a
wine bar in the village.

Three proposals - one each for
second-story additions at The Brickyard Pub & B.B.Q. and Brio Pizzeria
& Restaurant, and one to turn 700 Center St., into a wine bar - are on the
agenda for Tuesday's Village of Lewiston Board meeting (6 p.m., Red Brick
Municipal Building).

The Village of Lewiston Planning Board
approved all three proposals earlier this week.

At The Brickyard, proprietor Eric Matthews
said he and business partner Ken Bryan are adding a second level to their
restaurant's outdoor patio, because "(We) like to change it up a bit."

Matthews said the proposed 450-foot
expansion "is something different and unique." He said the addition would
provide additional shelter for patrons when it rains, while still maintaining
space for them to sample barbecue while sitting outside in the sun.

Guests will walk up a
staircase to find additional tables and chairs. No food will be served on the
top level, but Matthews said diners are welcome to bring their drinks and/or
takeout orders upstairs.

Despite The Brickyard's
success - and sometimes-cramped quarters - Matthews said there is no plan right
now to expand the business onto Ridge Street.

Next door at Brio, owner Mike Wylke plans
to convert the building's fire-damaged top level into extra restaurant space.

"I'm thinking about putting a patio deck
on the upstairs," he said when he re-opened in December.

Brio, like The Brickyard, would have a
two-story outdoor patio.

Down the street, Jack Lyon and Kelly
Wiepert, the new owners of 700 Center St. - also known as Amy K's Mystick
Korner - plan to expand their building and use it for first-floor retail (three
units) and second-floor apartments.

Lyon is aware of Emery Simon's recent wine
bar proposal, and said both parties have an amicable understanding.

"There's definite growth in the Niagara
Wine Trail," Lyon said. "I'd be surprised if we were the last wine bar to
open."

As for the other retail units, Lyon said
current occupant Katy Reese (middle unit) has expressed an interest to stay in
her present location following the renovation.

A third space will be built on the east
side of the building. At present, Lyon has no plans for that unit. He will have four apartments in total, including one where a garage now lies.

Lyon said he hopes to start construction on
the new addition this spring. As for the current structure, "The building needs
some TLC," he said, noting a fresh coat of paint, electrical repairs and
restoration of original features are planned. Lyon expects that work to begin
this summer.